Club associate, Lyn Creek had been trying to keep the face-to-face classes going as long as possible, following BJP's guidelines of limited numbers in the dance space and hand cleaning required by all students.

Lyn even went so far as to complete the Australian Government's Department of Health Infection Control - COVID-19 training.

But on Sunday, March 25, the call was made to stop the physical classes in line with the new government enforced restrictions on non-essential social gatherings.

Knowing this was most likely coming, Lyn had invited parents to video herself and some of her long-time students performing the dances during the class the week before so they could continue to learn at home.

BJP does provide a video of the dances to all of its members performed by the champions from the year before, but this normally doesn't come out until later in the year.

As there weren't many attendees at the last face-to-face class, Lyn went ahead and recorded a few of the dances and shared them on the group's private Facebook page.

"Then I prepared my old brain to cope with modern technology and turned my garage into the TGL Physie dance studio," Lyn said.

She kicked off the first week of lock-down with live-streamed Facebook classes, as well as saving them to individual private pages set up for each age group to ensure the lesson is available to those who could watch the live feed.

"I am also doing online training with Zoom this week to see if i can do live classes that way so I can interact with members," she said.

"I have had challenges trying to sort out what device is best for each option."

But these challenges won't stand in the way of this highly-dedicated volunteer, as she works to ensure her students will be able to continue practicing the sport they love.

"There are many reasons to continue TGL physie during these times.

"I feel our younger members - and older ones too - will benefit having things run as much same as possible.

"This will be comforting and reassuring for them."

Physie is just one of many sports in the region affected by the restrictions, and like many others, Lyn holds out hope that things will return to normal in time for the major competitions later in the year.

"Members will want to be able to complete the syllabus at comps as competently as they can," Lyn said.

"Regular physical activity will be important for members, and for me too."

The Taree Great Lakes Physical Culture Club has students all over the region from Taree to Forster and across to Gloucester.

And it's not just children, there are adult classes as well.

"Keeping the club running may provide members with a sense of community and family allowing us to support each other as we keep in touch," Lyn said.

The uptake by members so far has been very encouraging with some parents sending photos of their girls practicing at home. As this is a big learning curve for Lyn, she still ironing out all the kinks but pretty soon still have it all worked out.

Just another feel good story during this coronavirus craziness.

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